122,409 research outputs found
Oxyuranus temporalis Doughty & Maryan & Donnellan & Hutchinson 2007, new species
No full text<i>Oxyuranus temporalis</i> new species. (Figs 3 & 4)Published as part of <i>Doughty, Paul, Maryan, Brad, Donnellan, Stephen C. & Hutchinson, Mark N., 2007, A new species of taipan (Elapidae: Oxyuranus) from central Australia, pp. 45-58 in Zootaxa 1422 (1)</i> on page 52, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.1422.1.3, <a href="http://zenodo.org/record/5077067">http://zenodo.org/record/5077067</a>
Purification of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Preintegration Complexes by Velocity Gradient Centrifugation.
No full textThe early events of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection are mediated by two large nucleoprotein complexes (NPCs), the reverse transcription complex (RTC) and the preintegration complex (PIC). These complexes are responsible for the conversion of viral RNA into viral DNA, transport through the cytoplasm, import into the nucleus, and the subsequent integration of the viral genomic DNA into the host chromosomal DNA. Several viral proteins are associated with the NPCs, including reverse transcriptase (RT), integrase (IN), viral protein R (Vpr), capsid (CA), matrix (MA), and nucleocapsid (NC). Previous studies of these complexes have yielded conflicting data, partially due to inconsistent production and purification methods. Here I examined several infection protocols and determined overnight (O/N) infection of C8166-45 cells via spinoculation to be the optimal production method to yield active PICs. I also evaluated the efficiency of several velocity gradient centrifugation (VGC) parameters for purifying NPCs. The sedimentation patterns of NPCs were determined by analyzing the distribution of known interacting viral proteins in gradient fractions. My results indicate that short velocity gradient centrifugation is preferred to extended centrifugation. Shorter centrifugation lengths separate the two NPCs instead of concentrating them as increased centrifugation does. Increased centrifugation also results in the dissociation of the complexes. These methods for the production and purification of HIV-1 nucleoprotein complexes will facilitate future proteomic analyses to identify novel HIV-1 cellular factors and hopefully lead to new targets for antiretroviral treatments.xii, 77 page
Molecular phylogeny of Australian Gehyra (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and taxonomic revision of Gehyra variegata in south-eastern Australia
No full textSistrom, Mark J., Hutchinson, Mark N., Hutchinson, Rhonda G., Donnellan, Stephen C. (2009): Molecular phylogeny of Australian Gehyra (Squamata: Gekkonidae) and taxonomic revision of Gehyra variegata in south-eastern Australia. Zootaxa 2277: 14-32, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.19113
Phylogenetic disassembly of species boundaries in a widespread group of Australian skinks (Scincidae: Ctenotus)
No full textAbstract not availableDaniel L. Rabosky, Mark N. Hutchinson, Stephen C. Donnellan, Amanda L. Talaba, Irby J. Lovett
Eremiascincus phantasmus Mecke, Doughty & Donnellan, 2013, sp. nov.
No full textEremiascincus phantasmus sp. nov. English name: Ghost Skink German names: Südlicher Streifenskink, Gespenstskink (Figs. 13 & 14) Synonyms: Sphenomorphus fasciolatus (part.) Storr, 1974 Rec. West. Aust. Mus. 3 (1): 68–70 (‘Ghost Skink’ = p. 69) Eremiascincus fasciolatus (part.) Greer, 1979; Rec. Aust. Mus. (32) 7: 323 et seqq. (‘Ghost Skink’ = p. 325) Eremiascincus fasciolatus (part.) Cogger, 2000; Rept. Amphib. Aust.: 477 Type material of the species herein described as new has been deposited in the SAMA, QM and AMS collections. Holophoront: SAMA R 49358 (field number C 97047) (Fig. 13), male. Type locality: collected 5.5 km SE of Red Lake Yard, E side of Lake Hope Channel, SA (28 ° 15 ' 29 ''S, 139 ° 12 ' 29 '' E); leg. M. Hutchinson. Paratypes (22 specimens): SAMA R 49896 (F)— 43.7 km east of Purni Bore, on the Rig Road, SA, 26 ° 19 ' 17 ''S, 136 ° 31 ' 53 ''E; R 50047 (unsexed juvenile)— 66.8 km E Purni Bore, Big RD, SA, 26 ° 19 ' 17 ''S, 136 ° 31 ' 53 ''E; R 50888 (F)— 29.1 km NNW Murda Hill, Simpson Desert Regional Reserve, SA, 26 ° 42 '09''S, 138 ° 15 ' 44 ''E; R 51482 (M)— 25.1 km NW Atna Hill, Simpson Desert CP, SA, 26 ° 16 ' 29 ''S, 137 ° 19 ' 37 ''E; R 51436 (M)— 1.1 km SSE Approdinna Attora Knolls, SA, 26 °04' 50 ''S, 137 ° 36 ' 43 ''E; R 54137 (M)— 37.1 km WNW of Muloorina Homestead, SA, 29 °09' 45 ''S, 137 ° 32 '01''E; R 54255 (unsexed juvenile)— 15.3 km WNW Kannakaninna Waterhole, Kalamurina, SA, 27 ° 53 '09''S, 137 ° 49 ' 13 ''E; R 55437 (F)— 17 km NW Karrathunka Waterhole, SA, 26 °06'07''S, 139 °08' 45 ''E; R 55447 (M)— 12.4 km NW Karrathunka Waterhole, SA, 26 °08' 27 ''S, 139 °09' 54 ''E; R 55507 (M)— 30.2 km ESE Mulka Hill, SA, 28 ° 26 ' 51 ''S, 138 ° 52 '06''E; AMS R 113164 (M)— 25 km N of Poeppel Corner, Simpson Desert, NT, 25 ° 46 ' S, 138 °00'E; R 155329 (M)—Sturt National Park, 1.8 km W (by road) along Whitecatch Gate Road, NSW, 29 °06' 51 ''S, 141 ° 10 ' 54 ''E; QM J 41600 (F), J 41602 (F)—Durrie Station, Glennie Well, QLD, 25 ° 55 ' 48 ''S, 139 ° 55 ' 49 ''E; J 44070 (F)—Simpson Desert, QLD, 25 ° 40 ' 48 ''S, 138 ° 31 ' 48 ''E; 48473 (M)— Chookoo, 30 km WSW Jackson, QLD, 27 ° 34 ' 48 ''S, 141 ° 54 '00''E; J 75056 – 57 (M), J 75060 (M), J 75067 (unsexed juvenile)— 2 km W of Birdsville (behind Airstrip), QLD, 24 ° 53 ' 60 ''S, 139 ° 18 '00''E. Diagnosis and Description based on material cited in the Appendix and color photographs by P. Tremul (see also Fig. 14). Taxonomic history. Whereas Waite’s (1929) concept of Hinulia fasciolata in southern Australia is rather unsatisfactory and misleading as the morphology for the SA populations seems to be largely based on the type description in Boulenger (1887) (see also Greer [1979] for a discussion on data of reproduction for Hinulia fasciolata presented by Waite [1929]), Worrell (1963) was probably the first author who used the colloquial name ‘Ghost Skink’ for a pale, undescribed species of desert-dwelling skink and attributed the scientific name Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) monotropis to that species. Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) monotropis, however, is a junior synonym of the heavily banded Eremiascincus richardsonii (Cogger et al. 1983) and is clearly distinct from the form Worrell described. The area of distribution Worrell suggested includes the central parts of SA and the arid parts of WA. Because Worrell did not include ‘ pallidu s’ in his Reptiles of Australia it may be that he believed the ‘Ghost Skink’ and ‘ pallidu s’ to be conspecific. Although Worrell’s species concept remains mysterious, and Lygosoma (Sphenomorphus) monotropis sensu Worrell (1963) might be better regarded a nomen ambiguum rather than a synonym, the name ‘Ghost Skink’ was generally used by subsequent authors (e.g., Storr 1974; Greer 1979) to refer to the patternless, extreme pale form of " E. fasciolatus " from the Lake Eyre region of north-eastern SA. Diagnosis. A medium to large-sized (snout-vent length up to 92.5 mm), slender narrow-banded Eremiascincus having 8–9 undivided supralabials (usually 8); 2 infralabials usually in broad contact with the postmental scale; 20–30 subdigital lamellae, at least basally in two rows and at least basally keeled; plantar scales 12–18, smooth; 28–33 scale rows at mid-body; head small, snout depressed, and ear opening small and circular; dorsum with keels posteriorly and tail often with strong ridges; coloration pattern usually comprises 29–39 perfectly transverse narrow, often very pale bands on the tail (type a, b); body without bands or with indication of light narrow bands (type a, b) dorsally or more frequently on sides of body, usually pale, without any indication of banding visible. Description. Dimensions and general characteristics. A medium to large-sized (snout-vent length of adult specimens 62.6–92.5 mm, mean 81.2, n = 117), slender Eremiascincus; head small (HeadL 1 /SVL 0.17–0.20, mean 0.18, n = 113); snout long (SnoutL/HeadL 1 0.39–0.46, mean 0.42, n = 113) top of snout depressed, tip of snout obtusely pointed; canthus rostralis rounded; lower eyelid movable, scaly; ear opening circular in shape and small (maximum length 1.8 mm, maximum height 1.8 mm), about a quarter the area of eye aperture, with minute granules at anterior border; ear opening followed by a depression of the integument; tympanum sunk; limbs pentadactyl, overlapping when adpressed, moderately long (hind legs ~ 40 % length of snout-vent length); fingers and toes moderately long, circular in section; third and fourth finger length similar; fourth toe longer than third; tail up to ~ 138 % of SVL (range 122.7–137.8 %, mean 129.1 %, n = 15), with strong ridges or keels, round in cross section; hemipenis deeply bifurcated, not columnar. Scalation. Nasals widely separated; frontal arrowhead-shaped, ~ 70 % longer than interparietal, much larger than prefrontals; width of rostral-frontonasal suture less than half width of frontonasal; prefrontals narrowly separated; frontal contacting frontonasal; frontoparietals free (paired); interparietal normally free, almost as large as a frontoparietal; parietals large, in contact behind interparietal; each parietal bordered posteriorly by upper secondary temporal and (if present) enlarged nuchal scales; nuchals 0–1; supraoculars 4, normal in shape and orientation; medial 2 much longer than wide, 2 or 3 in contact with frontal; loreals 2, second usually wider than tall, squarish or rectangular; supranasal scale absent; preoculars 2, lower larger; presuboculars usually 2; supraciliaries 7–10 (mostly 8, mean 8.4, n = 117), first largest; supralabials 7–9 (usually 8, mean 8.0, n = 117), supralabial scales undivided, last supralabial scale overlaps lower secondary temporal; infralabials 6–9; postmental in contact with first and second infralabial (Fig. 17 B); no trace of subinfralabial scales; 1 primary and 2 secondary temporals; 28– 33 (mostly 30–32) scales at mid-body (mean 30.3, n = 113), laterals smallest; 60–71 paravertebral scales (mean 65.9, n = 114); 20–30 subdigital lamellae under fourth toe (mean 25.2, n = 114), scale under fourth toe divided medially, at least basally but often grooved for more than half of digit; weakly keeled or callose (with a single keel per side of a grooved scale); scales on top of toes variable, usually with multiple series covering base or up to half of the length of the digits, sometimes only single scale rows present; scales on soles of hands and feet granular and smooth; body and head shiny-scaled; scales on body smooth; trailing edges of dorsal and lateral scales angularly three-sided rather than smoothly rounded; subcaudals larger than ventrals; tail above usually strongly keeled (keels forming ridges); 2 median precloacal scales distinctly enlarged. Coloration and pattern in preservative (ethanol). Upper surface (head, dorsum, tail, and limbs) whitish to pale gray, rarely with a fine banding discernible laterally or dorsolaterally (never forming conspicuous dark bands across the dorsum); bands usually absent altogether or only evident on the tail as pale brown cross-bands of a single scale row or less and separated by 2 rows of paler scales (if discernible 29–39 bands on tail) (type a, b), regenerated tails usually display no banding; subocular region appears to be dark bluish because of the underlying eye socket; labials pale; underneath immaculate ivory or silvery white, sometimes displaying a strong contrast between the pale dorsal and the ivory or white lateroventral side; scales on chin and gular region, palmar and plantar scales not colored differently; iris as dark as pupil; tongue pale. Hatchlings are similar in most respects to adults but with more intense bands on the tail, which become more faded with age. Coloration and pattern in life. Ground color pale yellowish, brownish or whitish with very faded caudal striping; sometimes with obscure indication of bands laterally or dorsolaterally, rarely with a fine very light banding on dorsum; sides are usually paler than dorsum; belly cream to pinkish; all body scales glossy. Juveniles sometimes display a maculated dorsum. The coloration has resulted in the common name ‘Ghost Skink’. Fig. 14 shows a specimen in life. Craniology. According to the data presented in Greer (1979), this species has 9 premaxillary teeth, the surface exposure of the postorbital bone in the supratemporal arch is short, and an ectopterygoid process is not evident or only weakly developed. Sex ratio and dimorphism. The sex ratio of specimens favored males (67: 50). All meristic and morphometric variables were tested for sexual dimorphism, with significant differences found for ArmL (males: mean = 21.4, SD = 1.3, median = 21.6, n = 66; females: mean = 20.5, SD = 1.2, median = 20.6, n = 49; Z = - 3.718 ***), LegL (males: mean = 30.3, SD = 2.0, median = 30.3, n = 66; females: mean = 28.8, SD = 1.7, median = 28.8, n = 49; Z = - 4.215 ***), FootL (males: mean = 12.1, SD = 0.9, median = 12.2, n = 66; females: mean = 11.6, SD = 0.7, median = 11.5, n = 49; Z = - 3.357 ***), ToeL 3 (males: mean = 6.2, SD = 0.5, median = 6.3 n = 65; females: mean = 5.9, SD = 0.5, median = 5.9 n = 48; Z = - 3.177 **), ToeL 4 (males: mean = 8.4, SD = 0.6 median = 8.4, n = 66; females: mean = 8.1, SD = 0.6, median = 8.0, n = 49; Z = - 2.883 **), HeadL 1 (males: mean = 15.4, SD = 1.1, median = 15.7, n = 64; females: mean = 14.3, SD = 1.0, median = 14.4, n = 49; Z = - 4.588 ***), HeadL 2 (males: mean = 14.1, SD = 1.0, median = 14.4, n = 65; females: mean = 13.3, SD = 1.0, median = 13.5, n = 50; Z = - 4.203 ***), HeadW (males: mean = 9.5, SD = 0.8, median = 9.6, n = 64; females: mean = 8.8, SD = 0.8, median = 8.8, n = 49; Z = - 4.372 ***), SnoutL (males: mean = 6.4, SD = 0.5, median = 6.5, n = 67; females: mean = 6.0, SD = 0.4, median = 6.0, n = 50; Z = - 4.243 ***), HeadH (males: mean = 6.6, SD = 0.6, median = 6.7, n = 65; females: mean = 6.1, SD = 0.5, median = 6.2, n = 47; Z = - 4.584 ***). The following ratio likewise showed significant differences between sexes: HeadL 1 /SVL (males: mean = 0.19, SD = 0.00, median = 0.19, n = 64; females: mean = 0.18, SD = 0.01, median = 0.18, n = 49; Z = - 5.182 ***). TrunkL/SVL did not differ between sexes, but probability level was close to the critical level. Details of holophoront (Fig. 13) (SAMA R 49358) [adult male]. SVL 90.5 mm, TrunkL 50.6 mm, TailL 109.1 mm (tip regenerated), ArmL 21.9 mm, LegL 29.9 mm, HeadL 1 15.8 mm, HeadL 2 14.9 mm, HeadW 10.3 mm, SnoutL 6.7 mm, snout depressed, HeadH 6.6 mm, AxillaEar 16.9 mm, ear opening 1.3 x 1.3 mm, MBSR 28, PVS 65, SupraLab 9 (DividedLab: none/undivided), InfraLab 8, SupraCil 9, prefrontals separated, presuboculars 2, nuchals 1, 4TLam 25, upper surface of fourth toe with scales in single rows with transverse sutures along almost entire digit, plantar scales 13, no bands or pattern noticeable on body, BandsTail (type b) 32. Distribution. Eremiascincus phantasmus sp. nov. predominantly occurs in the low elevation deserts of the Lake Eyre Basin with the main distribution area in north-eastern SA (Fig. 18). The area of distribution extends from south of Lake Frome north-west to the mound spring area of Emerald and Strangways Springs and north to Witjiara National Park at the western border of the Simpson Desert, where it predominantly occurs in the Marla- Oodnadatta and the Marree Soil Conservation Districts. In the NT, E. phantasmus sp. nov. extends from Andado in the south, north-west to Charlotte Waters with the northernmost records from Illogwa Creek in the south-east central NT and Lake Caroline in the east. In the south-eastern corner of the NT, E. phantasmus sp. nov. is poorly collected. The species also occurs in the Central Ranges xeric scrubland in the Curtin Spring and Uluru area, where it may be sympatric with E. pallidus. Eremiascincus phantasmus sp. nov. has not been collected from the central Finke bioregion. In QLD the species occurs in the Channel Country of the extreme south-west. It occurs from the Mirrica Bore region in the north, south to Mount Leonard. The species is also found in the Baryulah area south to the border of NSW. From Cameron’s Corner, the species extends south-east to Tero Creek. In south-west NSW the distribution extends from the Broken Hill area in the north to Wentworth on the Victorian border and east to Mungo National Park (see also Swan 1990 for a report of an eastern range extension). Eremiascinus phantasmus sp. nov. to date has not been recorded from the far north-west of Victoria. Geographic variation. Variation in color pattern (e.g., subdued narrow dorsolateral bands) is present in some specimens, but in other respects (e.g., labial scalation) these localized entities are typical of E. phantasmus sp. nov. Habitat and ecology. The species inhabits low lying flood-prone areas and sandy rises with Spinifex cover or without vegetation (Fig. 15) and is often found in association with buildings and under rubbish piles. The very glossy, smooth-scaled skink is a sand-swimmer as one would expect from its overall morphology and habitat and occurs on substrates sandy enough to support a range of burrowing species (P. Tremul, pers. comm.). Eremiascincus phantasmus sp. nov. is crepuscular and nocturnal in its activity, becoming most active in the late afternoon and the first few hours of darkness. Like its congeners, the species feeds on insects, small skinks, and geckos. Clutch size varies from 2– 7 eggs, measuring approximately 16–17 x 10 –12 mm. Hatchlings have a SVL of 32–36 mm and a TailL of 72–75 mm (D. Brown, pers. obs. of E. phantasmus from QLD held in captivity). Etymology. The specific name ‘ phantasmus ’ is Latin for ‘ghost’ and used as a noun in apposition. It is the Latin translation for a vernacular name Worrell proposed in 1963. Comparison with other species. This medium-sized to large Eremiascincus is generally distinguishable from all other narrow-banded skinks by its pale dorsal coloration. This character is only shared with the smaller E. pallidus from the western arid zone, which is distinguishable from E. phantasmus in usually having 7 supralabial shields (instead of usually 8) and 1 infralabial in contact with the postmental scale (vs. almost always 2 infralabials in contact with the postmental).Published as part of Mecke, Sven, Doughty, Paul & Donnellan, Stephen C., 2013, Redescription of Eremiascincus fasciolatus (Günther, 1867) (Reptilia: Squamata: Scincidae) with clarification of its synonyms and the description of a new species, pp. 473-517 in Zootaxa 3701 (5) on pages 601-606, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3701.5.1, http://zenodo.org/record/24835
Gender Card: International Day to End Obstetric Fistula (Episode 18)
No full textToday on the International day to End Obstetric Fistula, The Gender Card podcast puts the focus on maternal health, and the vital role of midwives in ensuring not only the health of mother and baby at birth, but throughout their lives. This is a critical month for maternal health in Australia and around the world, starting with International Day of the Midwife on May the fifth, when the pivotal State of the World’s Midwifery Report was released, tellingly titled Follow the Data - Invest in Midwives. It provides extensive evidence for why midwifery care should be central to improving the health of mothers and babies and reducing preventable deaths in childbirth.
We speak to two esteemed experts in this field from Griffith University - Dr Elizabeth Newnham and Dr Roslyn Donnellan-Fernandez.No Full Tex
Phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among Australo-Papuan mosaic-tailed rats from the Uromys division (Rodentia: Muridae)
No full textBryant, L. M., Donnellan, S. C., Hurwood, D. A. & Fuller, S. J. (2011). Phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among Australo‐Papuan mosaic‐tailed rats from the Uromys division (Rodentia: Muridae). —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 433–447.We inferred phylogenetic relationships and divergence date estimates among four genera of mosaic‐tailed rats from the Uromys division in Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands from both mitochondrial (16S rRNA) and nuclear (AP5 and DHFR introns) nucleotide sequence data. Phylogenetic analysis of our combined data shows that Melomys species from Australia and New Guinea are monophyletic to the exclusion of Paramelomys, which last shared a common ancestor with other members of the Uromys division approximately 3 MYA. However, Melomys was found to be paraphyletic with respect to the Solomon Islands endemic Solomys, suggesting the taxonomic distinction of the latter may need revision. The radiation of this group was estimated to have occurred between 2.1 MYA and 900 000 years ago. A currently undescribed taxon, species nova, which is apparently morphologically indistinguishable from sympatric M. cervinipes, was found to be a highly distinctive lineage and was not monophyletic with Melomys from Australia or New Guinea. Australian Uromys share a sister group relationship with sp. n. and the Melomys/Solomys clade. Australian Melomys were not monophyletic with respect to New Guinean Melomys. The New Guinean M. lutillus and Australian M. burtoni appear to be conspecific, supporting a previous suggestion that M. burtoni has an extralimital distribution encompassing New Guinea as M. lutillus. This also suggests sustained contact between these taxa, most likely enabled through historical landbridges that linked the two landmasses during periods of lower sea level. Melomys rubicola, found only on Bramble Cay, 50 km south of New Guinea, is more closely related to Australian Melomys, particularly M. capensis, than to any of the New Guinean species. Results suggest that M. rubicola and M. capensis last shared a common ancestor in the early Pleistocene, a time when land bridges existed connecting Bramble Cay to Cape York. Finally, polyphyly within M. cervinipes was also detected, corresponding to reciprocally monophyletic northern and southern clades. The northern M. cervinipes clade diverged from the M. capensis/rubicola clade approximately 1.2 MYA, with this split possibly resulting from isolation across the Normanby gap in far north Queensland.Litticia M. Bryant, Steve C. Donnellan, David A. Hurwood & Susan J. Fulle
Gehyra moritzi Hutchinson & Sistrom & Donnellan & Hutchinson 2014, sp. nov
No full textGehyra moritzi sp. nov Figs 3, 9. Gehyra 2n=44 " nana-montium " Moritz, 1986: p. 48. Holotype: SAMA R 65941 K, adult male from Corroboree Rock, East MacDonnell Ranges, Northern Territory (23° 44’ 23.0ˮ S, 133° 57' 02.5" E), collected by M. Hutchinson, P. Oliver, G. Armstrong and S. South on 9 January 2011 (Fig 9A–B). Paratypes (n=17; all genotyped as ‘ Clade 1’): MAGNT: R14356, R 15356, 6 km SSW Claraville HS, NT (23° 25’S, 134° 44’E), R 18310, Palm Valley Gas Well, Finke Gorge NP, NT (24° 01’S, 132° 37’E), R 20664, Finke Gorge, NT (24° 08’S, 132° 49’E). SAMA: R 65935 K –36, Rainbow Valley, NT, R65896 –900, R 65937 K –38, Emily Gap, NT (23° 44’S, 133° 57’E), R 65895, Corroboree Rock, NT (23° 44’ 23ˮ S, 133° 57’ 03ˮ E, R65881, R65945 K – 46, 20 km S of Barrow Creek, NT (21° 38’S, 133° 44’E). Diagnosis. Distinguished from other Australian Gehyra by a combination of either 7 or 8 divided scansors under the expanded portion of the fourth toe, small to moderate size, generally two pairs of enlarged chin shields, second or third infralabial notched, dorsal colour pattern combining pinkish grey to rufous colouring (in life) patterned entirely by black and whitish spots, and a karyotype of 2n=44 (Moritz 1986). Distinguished from most central Australian species (G. versicolor, G. purpurascens and G. montium) by its strongly white-spotted pattern with dark markings also forming discrete spots rather than wavy lines or continuous networks. Distinguished from G.minuta and G. pulingka sp. nov. by having black spots rather than short black wavy lines, normally two rather than three pairs of chin shields (G. pulingka sp. nov.), and higher numbers of labial scales (G. minuta). This diagnosis applies to populations of Gehyra genetically assignable to “Clade 1” of Sistrom et al. (2013). Description. Adult snout-vent length 36–49 mm (mean = 42.0 mm, n = 19). Length of original tail 38–51 mm (mean = 106% SVL, n = 5). Nostril bordered by rostral, first supralabial, supranasal and two subequal postnasals. Either a single internasal scale separates the supranasals above the rostral (n= 9) or supranasals in median contact (n= 9). Supralabials 8–10 (mode 9). Infralabials 7–9 (mode 8). Two, less frequently (6/19) three, pairs of chin shields, anterior pair in contact with only the first infralabial. Chin shields separated from the fourth, or third, and succeeding infralabials by the interpolation of a series of enlarged scales (parinfralabials) that margin the ventral edge of the infralabials. Third, less frequently (7/19) second, infralabial notched where this parinfralabial scale row starts. Scansors under pad of fourth toe divided, 7–8 (mode 8). Precloacal pores in males 11–16 (mean = 14.4, n = 11). The karyotype is 2n=44, regarded as the plesiomorphic karyotype for the Gehyra variegata species group by King (1979) and Moritz (1986), but see Sistrom et al. (2013) for cautionary remarks on this assumption. In life, dorsally light pinkish grey to reddish brown, the entire dorsal surface patterned by spots. Dark spots are larger and more irregular, pale spots tend to be more precisely circular in shape. Distribution. Rocky mountain ranges of the south-central Northern Territory centred on the MacDonnell Ranges and south to the James Range, west to the Kings Canyon area and north to the Devils Marbles. Comments. The above description refers to specimens from the central and southern parts of the species' range. The northernmost sample (SAMA R65875 -80, 65943-44), from rocky hills south of the Devils Marbles, is distinctly different in morphology but is not distinguishable by either DNA sequence data or karyotype (SAMA R65943: 2n = 44). This series of eight specimens is consistently smaller (largest specimens only 40 mm SVL), males have fewer precloacal pores (range 8–11) and the spotted colour pattern consists of relatively very small spots, each covering only a few dorsal scales. All have seven enlarged scansors rather than the eight usual for the other populations. The small size, spotted pattern and rock dwelling habits of these animals are reminiscent of G. minuta which occurs close by, but that species has a dorsal pattern with larger pale spots and irregular black flecks rather than spots, lower infralabial counts and frequent contact between the postmental and second infralabial. For the present we refer this sample to G. moritzi but exclude it from the paratype series. Further genetic studies of gecko populations along the Northern Territory portion of the Stuart Highway would be useful to clarify the genetic relationships among G. moritzi populations and the pattern of occurrence of the rock dwelling Gehyra of this region. The prominently spotted colour pattern of G. moritzi is very similar to that of some Western Australia rockdwelling populations of Gehyra. They are quite genetically distinct (‘punctata clade’ of Sistrom et al. 2013), but the species delineation modeling indicates that they are likely sister taxa. Current chromosomal data (King 1979, Moritz 1986) suggests a further distinction (2n=44 for G. moritzi, 2n=42a for G. ‘punctata’), but the precise relationships will require further work on Western Australian populations where multiple species are likely present in the Pilbara and adjacent areas. The strong similarity in colour pattern suggests selection for camouflage against rocks, but given their relationships this could be due to common ancestry rather than convergence. Etymology. The specific name recognises the contribution of Dr Craig Moritz (Australian National University, Canberra, and University of California, Berkeley) in revealing the high level of karyotypic and morphological diversity among central Australian populations of Gehyra.Published as part of Hutchinson, Mark N., Sistrom, Mark J., Donnellan, Stephen C. & Hutchinson, Rhonda G., 2014, Taxonomic revision of the Australian arid zone lizards Gehyra variegata and G. montium (Squamata, Gekkonidae) with description of three new species, pp. 221-241 in Zootaxa 3814 (2) on pages 235-236, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3814.2.4, http://zenodo.org/record/491921
Litoria daraiensis Richards & Donnellan & Oliver 2023, sp. nov.
No full textLitoria daraiensis, sp. nov. Darai Plateau Treefrog Figs 1–3 https://zoobank.org/ urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 0760AD74-4A52-4980-AA2E-46F4C325BA7B Holotype. SAMA R71675 (FN JCUNQ [SJR]3136), adult female, Darai Plateau, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea (7.1295°S, 143.6134°E; 435 m a.s.l.) on 23 July 2003 by S. Richards. Paratype (n = 1). SAMA R71676 (FN JCUNQ [SJR]3181), adult male, same location and collector details as for holotype except collected on 25 July 2003. Diagnosis. Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. is distinguished from all other Litoria by the following unique combination of characters: size small (SVL of one male 23.9 mm, of one female 30.2 mm); dorsum in life brown with green spots; vomerine teeth absent; finger webbing extensive, reaching nearly to distal subarticular tubercle on inside edge of Finger 4; prominent dermal fold along outer edge of foot; advertisement call a harsh chattering sound lasting 0.35– 0.37 s containing 10–11 distinctly pulsed notes produced at 27–29 notes/s with dominant frequency at 3400–3600 Hz; and is genetically diagnosable from L. gracilis sp. nov. at 46 sites in the 787 base pair alignment of mitochondrial ND4 gene and flanking tRNA (Table 1). Description of holotype. An adult female containing large (1.5–1.8 mm diameter), predominantly yellow eggs. Body slender; limbs moderately long (TL/SVL 0.52); head moderately narrow (HW/SVL 0.30), slightly narrower than length (HL/SVL 0.31, HW/HL 0.96). Vomerine teeth absent. Tongue large, narrowly oval, with distinct posterior notch. Snout broadly rounded in dorsal view (Fig. 1A), steep, bluntly rounded in lateral view (Fig. 1B); canthus rostralis short, strongly curved and broadly rounded; loreal region sloping, slightly concave; lips slightly flared; nostrils much closer to tip of snout than eyes, oriented laterally; internarial distance greater than distance from external naris to eye (EN/IN 0.93); eyes small (EYE/SVL 0.11), but protruding in dorsal and ventral views; pupil horizontal, pigmentation on nictitating membrane restricted to narrow band along dorsal edge; tympanum moderately large (TYM/SVL 0.05), nearly one-half diameter of eye (TYM/EYE = 0.48), ventral 2/3 extremely prominent, dorsal one third obscured by thick, slightly curved supratympanic ridge. Skin of dorsum and dorsal surfaces of limbs finely shagreened; throat ridged anteriorly, becoming coarsely granular posteriorly; chest and abdomen coarsely granular; ventral surfaces of limbs mostly smooth except proximal 2/3 distance along posteroventral margins of thighs with numerous tubercles; dense cluster of prominent white tubercles below vent forms short transverse ridge then tubercles extend distally about 9.5 mm along posteroventral margins of each thigh, losing white colour and becoming translucent distally. A prominent crenulated white dermal fold, nearly unbroken, along outer edge of foot, extending from heel to distal subarticular tubercle on Toe 5; row of small pale tubercles along outer edge of forearm grades into distinct low crenulated fold along outer edge of hand reaching distal subarticular tubercle on Finger 4. Fingers moderately short with expanded terminal discs (3FD/SVL 0.05; 3FD/3FP 1.36) with distinct marginal grooves; distal subarticular tubercles strongly bilobed; proximal tubercle unilobed; relative lengths of fingers 3>4>2>1 (Fig. 1C). Webbing on inside of Finger 4 reaching half-way between distal subarticular tubercle and disc on left hand, but not reaching distal tubercle on right hand, before extending to disc as fleshy fringe; on outside of Finger 3 reaching to base of distal subarticular tubercle (Fig. 1C); on inside of Finger 3 reaching to just above proximal subarticular tubercle and on outside of Finger 2 reaching to base of disc; webbing only a basal fringe between fingers 1 and 2. Hand with low, oval inner and narrow oval outer, metacarpal tubercles. Toes with expanded terminal discs (4TD/4TP 1.18) with terminal grooves, discs on toes smaller than those on fingers (3FD/4TD 1.15), relative lengths of toes 4>5=3>2>1 (Fig. 1D). Webbing on inside of Toe 5 reaches nearly to disc, on both sides of Toe 4 to base of distal subarticular tubercle, on outside of Toe 3 to beyond halfway between distal subarticular tubercle and base of disc, on inside of Toe 3 to base of distal tubercle, on outside of Toe 2 nearly to base of disc, on inside of Toe 2 to proximal tubercle and on outside of Toe 1 to distal tubercle. Foot with prominent narrow, elongate inner metatarsal tubercle, outer tubercle barely detectable (Fig. 1D). Colour in life (Fig. 2A). Dorsum pale, green-tinged ivory with green spots and flecks across dorsal surfaces including limbs; dark-brown pigmentation aggregated into small patches on limbs and lateral surfaces; a large patch of brown pigmentation laterally behind axillae, and another on head where it forms broad ‘V’ shape mark between eyes. Ventral surfaces white anteriorly with clumps of brown pigment near angle of jaws, yellow posteriorly and on hidden surfaces of limbs. Dermal folds on limbs and tubercles on limbs and around vent white. Iris ivory with brown reticulations, narrow yellow rim surrounding pupil. Hands and feet translucent, with dense brown spotting and small patches of green dorsally. Colour in preservative. In preservative dorsal surfaces pale milky blue with scattered darker blue and brown flecks, ventral surfaces of legs pale yellow, tubercles on limbs white, ventral surfaces of hands and feet translucent white. Measurements of holotype (in mm). SVL 30.2; TL 15.8; HL 9.5; HW 9.1; EYE 3.3; TYM 1.6; EN 2.7; IN 2.9; 4TD 1.3; 4TP 1.1; 3FD 1.5; 3FP 1.1; TL/SVL 0.52; HW/HL 0.96; TYM/EYE 0.48; EN/IN 0.93; 3FD/4TD 1.15. Variation. The sole paratype is an adult male. It differs from the holotype in its smaller size (SVL 23.9 vs. 30.2 mm), broader tongue (nearly round without posterior notch vs. narrowly oval with posterior notch), presence of small, pale brown, finely granular nuptial pads on Finger 1, and of long vocal slits located laterally in floor of mouth extending from approximately angle of jaws halfway to front of mouth. Colour of paratype in life (Fig. 2B) differs from holotype in having dorsal and lateral surfaces ivory overlain by dense stippling of dark brown, green spots larger, more extensive on head, tending to coalesce on snout such that snout is substantially green; ‘V’ shaped brown pigment patch on head present but less well defined than on holotype. Brown venation on iris finer than that of holotype, with several small brown pigment patches present (vs. absent) (Fig. 2). Measurements of paratype: SVL 23.9; TL 13.1; HL 8.0; HW 7.1; EYE 3.0; TYM 1.1; EN 2.1; IN 2.4; 4TD 1.0; 4TP 0.8; 3FD 1.2; 3FP 0.8; TL/SVL 0.55; HW/HL 0.89; TYM/EYE 0.37; EN/IN 0.88; 3FD/4TD 1.2. Advertisement call. Two calls produced by the male paratype at an air temperature of 22.6°C were recorded. They comprised a series of 11 and 10 harsh, distinctly pulsed chattering notes lasting 0.35 and 0.37 s (Fig. 3). Note lengths for both calls combined were 0.011 – 0.023 s (mean = 0.018, SD = 0.002, n = 21) and notes contained 4–12 pulses (mean = 9.3, SD = 1.71, n = 20; pulses were insufficiently resolved to count in one note). However only one note contained 4 pulses, the remainder contained 7–11 pulses. Pulse rate within notes was 300–647 pulses/s (mean = 484.65, SD = 71.46, n = 20) and notes within calls were produced at a rate of 27–29 notes/s with dominant frequency at 3400 and 3600 Hz for the two calls. A single call containing 11 notes is illustrated in Fig. 3. Comparisons. In its small size (male SVL 23.9 mm, female 30.2 mm), slender body, green and brown dorsal colour, extensively webbed fingers, and lacking a rostral spike, Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. most closely resembles the following eight species: L. aplini Richards & Donnellan, 2020, L. iris (Tyler, 1962), L. majikthise Johnston & Richards, 1994; L. nigropunctata (Meyer, 1875), L. richardsi Dennis & Cunningham, 2006, L. singadanae Richards, 2005, L. umarensis Günther, 2004 and L. verae Günther, 2004. Richards & Donnellan (2020) provided a comprehensive table comparing morphological and acoustic features among all these species except L. nigropunctata and L. umarensis and we draw upon that table in the comparisons presented below. Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. is also morphologically similar to the other four new species formally described in this paper and is compared with them in the subsequent species accounts. Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. differs from L. aplini by its smaller body size (an adult male 23.9 mm vs. males 31.9–35.1 mm SVL), less prominent dermal fold along outer edges of limbs, hidden surfaces of limbs predominantly yellow (vs. predominantly blue with dark-brown mottling), and advertisement call a series of 10–11 distinctly pulsed chattering notes (vs. advertisement call a short buzz normally followed by 1–7 clicks); from L. iris by its smaller size (male L. iris 25–35 mm SVL), hidden surfaces of limbs predominantly yellow (vs. posterior of thighs blue, red, or yellow, frequently blotched with white or purple), violet spots in axilla and groin absent (vs. present) and advertisement call a series of 10–11 distinctly pulsed chattering notes (vs. advertisement call a series of up to 10 notes of variable length, with long notes preceding or following short notes); from L. majikthise by its smaller size (L. majikthise males 30–35 mm SVL), having posterior surfaces of thighs yellow (vs. uniform red), by lacking a pearl-white post-ocular bar (vs. present), lacking violet patches on posteroventral surfaces of abdomen (vs. present) and advertisement call a series of 10–11 distinctly pulsed chattering notes (vs. advertisement call a single long (0.29– 0.36 s) or short (0.026 –0.080) note); from L. nigropunctata by its smaller size (male SVL 23.9 vs. 27–32 mm; Menzies 1972, 2006; Günther 2004), dermal folds along outer margins of tarsi well developed, distinctly crenulated (vs. dermal folds forming low dermal ridge), and advertisement call a series of 10–11 distinctly pulsed chattering notes (vs. advertisement call comprising an irregular succession of clicks and buzzes; Menzies 1972); from L. richardsi and L. singadanae in having a smaller (TYM/EYE 0.37–0.48 vs. 0.65–0.81), pigmented (vs. substantially transparent) tympanum, and further from L. richardsi in lacking (vs. having) irregular black lines on dorsum and extensive black markings ventrolaterally, and from L. singadanae in lacking (vs. having) extensive area of orange on posteroventral surfaces in life; from L. umarensis in its smaller size (male SVL 23.9 vs. 26.3–30.3 mm SVL), posterior surfaces of thighs yellow (vs. brown), dorsum brown with green spots (vs. normally uniform green) and advertisement call a series of 10–11 distinctly pulsed chattering notes (vs. advertisement call comprising 1–5, normally 2–3, notes); and from L. verae in its smaller size (male SVL 23.9 vs. 33–35 mm SVL), lacking (vs. having) small brown spots aligned transversely on dorsum and lacking (vs. having) extensive area of orange on posteroventral surfaces in life. Distribution and ecology. Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. is currently known from a single location on the Darai Plateau in Gulf Province, southern Papua New Guinea (Fig. 4). The Darai Plateau is an extensive area of limestone karst in the Kikori River Basin and forms part of the Great Papuan Plateau. Both specimens were found in primary foothill rainforest. The female was perched at a height of 1.0 m on foliage over a small forest pool at night. The male was calling at night from a leaf 2.3 m high in a swampy area with a number of small forest pools. The female contains large (1.5–1.8 mm diameter) predominantly yellow eggs that are slightly but distinctly darker on the animal pole. It is likely that this species lays its eggs on leaves overhanging forest pools because the female contains large, pale eggs like those of some other arboreal-breeding species (Menzies 1993), but this has not been confirmed. IUCN Red List status. Litoria daraiensis sp. nov. is known from one locality in the Kikori River Basin (Fig. 4), where it occurs within one of the largest remaining areas of relatively undisturbed lowland forest on the island of New Guinea. However, logging operations are occurring widely within the lower Kikori basin so until the species’ distribution, habitat requirements and any potential threats are better documented we recommend that it be listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN. Etymology. The name daraiensis refers to the type and only known locality of this species, the Darai Plateau in Southern Papua New Guinea. Molecular divergences. Based on analyses of a 787 base pair alignment from the mitochondrial ND4 gene and flanking tRNA, L. daraiensis sp. nov. is most closely related to L. gracilis sp. nov. (average net genetic distance, dA, between the taxa of 0.08, Table 2). dA between sister species pairs in other groups of Litoria ranges from 0.04 to 0.25 (Donnellan et al. 2021, Rowley et al. 2021).Published as part of Richards, Stephen J., Donnellan, Stephen C. & Oliver, Paul M., 2023, Five new species of the pelodryadid genus Litoria Tschudi from the southern versant of Papua New Guinea's Central Cordillera, with observations on the diversification of reproductive strategies in Melanesian treefrogs, pp. 151-190 in Zootaxa 5263 (2) on pages 154-157, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.5263.2.1, http://zenodo.org/record/780091
Sr. Adelaide's birthday
No full textSrs. and Edmundites Fr. Francis Donnellan and Joseph Couture celebrating Sr. Adelaide's birthda
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